Keith PalmerNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94AP/WMOTSun, 20 Nov 2016 09:25:26 +0000AP/WMOThttp://wmot.org
AP/WMOTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennesseans turned out in big numbers to cast early ballots in next week’s general election. Early voting came to a close yesterday. The state says 1,675,679 Tennesseans used the early voting option this year, up more than 100,000 votes over the 2012 early voting turnout and nearly 100,000 more votes than were cast early in 2008. Turnout was highest in Shelby County, where about 182,000 ballots were cast. The next highest totals included 174,000 votes in Davidson, and 83,000 in Williamson counties. The 2016 general election will take place this coming Tuesday, November 8. Visit the Tennessee Secretary of State's home page for complete early vote totals. Tennessee sees record breaking early voting turnouthttp://wmot.org/post/tennessee-sees-record-breaking-early-voting-turnout
72200 as http://wmot.orgFri, 04 Nov 2016 14:30:35 +0000Tennessee sees record breaking early voting turnoutAP/WMOTFRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Olympic figure skating champion and mid-state resident Scott Hamilton has been diagnosed with a third brain tumor. People magazine reports Hamilton has been diagnosed with a benign pituitary tumor. In a video for People magazine, the 58-year-old Hamilton joked that he has "a unique hobby of collecting life-threatening illness." Hamilton has survived two previous brain tumors and also a bout with testicular cancer. Hamilton, who now lives in Franklin, won gold at the 1984 Winter Games and. In spite of his brushes with death, Hamilton says he’s "been blessed beyond my wildest imagination." New cancer diagnosis for skater Scott Hamiltonhttp://wmot.org/post/new-cancer-diagnosis-skater-scott-hamilton
71613 as http://wmot.orgMon, 24 Oct 2016 11:29:54 +0000New cancer diagnosis for skater Scott HamiltonAP/WMOTMURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) -- Members of his own party are asking Donald Trump to tone down his accusations that next month’s election is rigged against him. Republican Secretary of State Tre Hargett called a special news conference in Nashville Monday to say he sees no evidence of fraud in Tennessee. Hargett noted that Tennessee’s voting system is not online so can’t be hacked. A study by a Carnegie-Knight news team found just 14 cases of voting fraud in all of Tennessee between 2000 and 2012. Most of the voting fraud cases that have occurred in Tennessee would not have been prevented by Tennessee's controversial voter photo ID regulations. Despite Trump assertions, Tenn. Sec. of State says no signs of voter fraudhttp://wmot.org/post/despite-trump-assertions-tenn-sec-state-says-no-signs-voter-fraud
71319 as http://wmot.orgTue, 18 Oct 2016 14:03:20 +0000Despite Trump assertions, Tenn. Sec. of State says no signs of voter fraudAP/WMOTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Lady Gaga showed that she could rock a club just as hard as arenas, playing a short set at the 5 Spot bar in Nashville Wednesday night. A small crowd of fans and guests got to hear her perform three new songs from her forthcoming album, "Joanne." Gaga says she'll appear at two more small bars this week, a nod to the album's "raw Americana" vibe and where she got her start In a statement, Gaga said finding a way to bring people together is important to her. "Which is why I love this dive bar tour so much, because I get to go perform these songs and really look my fans in the eyes when I'm singing to them and really try to have a more natural human experience," she said, instead of a "giant" space between her and an arena audience. The 11-song album's title honors an aunt, her father's sister, who died at age 19; Joanne also is Gaga's middle name. "Perfect Illusion" was the first track out, in early September, with the album set for release on Oct. 21. "ThisLady Gaga hits The 5 Spot in Nashvillehttp://wmot.org/post/lady-gaga-hits-5-spot-nashville
70788 as http://wmot.orgThu, 06 Oct 2016 10:01:01 +0000Lady Gaga hits The 5 Spot in NashvilleAP/WMOTCHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has unveiled its new drone system that deputies will use to gather evidence for court cases, detect bombs and find missing persons. Media outlets report Sheriff Jim Hammond assured the public during a news conference Monday that the equipment will not be used to invade people's right to privacy. Federal Aviation Administration records show more than 80 law enforcement agencies, colleges and other government agencies across the nation have been granted or applied for permits to fly unmanned aircraft systems. Deputies first began training to use the system in December 2014. Training has cost $9,000, while the six drones cost $10,000. Hammond says District Attorney General Neal Pinkston oversees use of the equipment and will make sure the drones will be used within legal guidelines. Police departments in Crossville, Clarksville, Knoxville, and Williamson County have all recently announced plans to use drones. Drones being adopted by Tennessee law enforcement agencieshttp://wmot.org/post/drones-being-adopted-tennessee-law-enforcement-agencies
70740 as http://wmot.orgWed, 05 Oct 2016 15:15:19 +0000Drones being adopted by Tennessee law enforcement agenciesAP/WMOTGALLATIN, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Republican Gov. Bill Haslam says he's concerned that a proposed update to social studies standards would strip too much Tennessee history from requirements in the state's public schools. A draft version would remove a slew of Tennessee events from U.S. history courses, including major milestones in the civil rights movements for minorities and women and several key Civil War battles fought on state soil. Haslam says he’s gotten several complaints about the proposals but hasn't yet studied them himself. The public comment period for the new standards ends Oct. 28. Gov. Haslam weighs in on controversial school curriculm changeshttp://wmot.org/post/gov-haslam-weighs-controversial-school-curriculm-changes
70678 as http://wmot.orgTue, 04 Oct 2016 13:20:00 +0000Gov. Haslam weighs in on controversial school curriculm changesAP/WMOTMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — The Memphis City Council will vote Tuesday on an ordinance that would make it the second major Tennessee city to drastically reduce penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. The Nashville City Council approved a similar ordinance last month. The proposed Memphis ordinance would reduce the penalty for possession of a half-ounce or less of marijuana to a civil citation or a $50 fine or community service. Tennessee law calls for people caught with the same amount of marijuana to face a misdemeanor criminal charge punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine Memphis set to consider reduced marijuana penaltieshttp://wmot.org/post/memphis-set-consider-reduced-marijuana-penalties
70675 as http://wmot.orgTue, 04 Oct 2016 13:13:50 +0000Memphis set to consider reduced marijuana penaltiesAP/WMOTATLANTA (AP) — The pipeline company working to repair a leak that led to gas shortages and higher prices for drivers across the South says its bypass repair is complete. Colonial Pipeline says it expects to restart its main gasoline line to start flowing agian Wednesday. Spokesman Steve Baker says crews have been working around the clock to get fuel to markets, and that it will take a few days for the fuel supply chain to fully recover. The 500-foot bypass will move fuel around a leak that spilled 6,000 barrels of gasoline in Shelby County, Alabama. Hallelujah! Gas pipeline to reopen Wednesdayhttp://wmot.org/post/hallelujah-gas-pipeline-reopen-wednesday
70115 as http://wmot.orgWed, 21 Sep 2016 12:41:56 +0000Hallelujah! Gas pipeline to reopen WednesdayAP/WMOTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Nashville’s Metro Council will vote again Tuesday on a bill to reduce penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Memphis is considering a similar move. John Marek with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws says similar proposals have already passed in more than two dozen other U.S. cities. Not everyone is onboard with the initiative. Republican State Rep. William Lamberth of Cottontown says he’ll sponsor legislation to penalize the two cities if they move to decriminalize pot. Metro Council takes up pot measure in second readinghttp://wmot.org/post/metro-council-takes-pot-measure-second-reading
70054 as http://wmot.orgTue, 20 Sep 2016 12:56:19 +0000Metro Council takes up pot measure in second readingAP/WMOT2B NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WMOT) -- The State of Tennessee has received more than 600 consumer complaints about price gouging in recent days amid an ongoing run on fuel. The Tennessean says the state normally gets about 5,000 such complaints in a year. Some customers have reported seeing prices as high as $9.99 for a gallon of gas. By law, retailers aren’t allowed to price gouge on essential goods during a disaster. State officials insist that panicked motorists are creating the shortage by buying more fuel than usual. Consumer reports of price gouging up in run on gashttp://wmot.org/post/consumer-reports-price-gouging-run-gas
70053 as http://wmot.orgTue, 20 Sep 2016 12:52:58 +0000Consumer reports of price gouging up in run on gasAP/WMOTFRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) — Authorities say the man accused of placing a pipe bomb in an employee's car outside a Franklin nursing home was trying to kill his estranged wife. The Chattanooga Times Free Press quotes authorities saying GPS data from 41-year-old Mitchell Oakes' cellphone shows he was in the nursing home’s parking lot when the bomb was planted early Saturday in his wife's vehicle. The unidentified woman noticed the device a few hours later after finishing her shift at the facility. Oakes was arrested Sunday on a first-degree attempted murder charge. Police: Franklin pipe bomb meant for suspect's estranged wifehttp://wmot.org/post/police-franklin-pipe-bomb-meant-suspects-estranged-wife
69909 as http://wmot.orgFri, 16 Sep 2016 10:21:38 +0000Police: Franklin pipe bomb meant for suspect's estranged wifeAP/WMOTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — A Nashville judge says he'll decide next week whether to order a new sentencing hearing for Corey Batey. Batey is the former Vanderbilt football player convicted of participating in the gang rape of an unconscious student. Criminal Court Judge Monte Watkins sentenced Batey to 15-years in prison, the minimum sentence allowed for convictions on charges of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery. Prosecutors believe letters from Batey’s family and friends swayed the judge toward the lighter sentence. They want a chance to argue for more time behind bars. Corey Batey may face a stiffer sentence for Vandy rapehttp://wmot.org/post/corey-batey-may-face-stiffer-sentence-vandy-rape
69908 as http://wmot.orgFri, 16 Sep 2016 10:19:28 +0000Corey Batey may face a stiffer sentence for Vandy rapeAP/WMOTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) -- Tennessee lawmakers have repealed an underage drunken driving law that ran afoul of federal zero-tolerance standards. The Senate passed the measure 31-1 Wednesday morning and the House later followed suit on an 85-2 vote. The state law, that went into effect in July, raised the maximum allowable blood alcohol content from 0.02 percent to 0.08 percent for those drivers. Gov. Haslam called legislators into special session to repeal the law to keep Tennessee from losing $60 million in federal road funds. Tenn. lawmakers repeal drunk driving law, save $60 million fed dollarshttp://wmot.org/post/tenn-lawmakers-repeal-drunk-driving-law-save-60-million-fed-dollars
69797 as http://wmot.orgWed, 14 Sep 2016 15:44:26 +0000Tenn. lawmakers repeal drunk driving law, save $60 million fed dollarsAP/WMOTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee State Rep. Jeremy Durham was a rising Republican legislative star, but his increasingly erratic behavior and mounting sexual harassment allegations finally caught up with him. Durham’s fellow legislators voted 70-2 yesterday to expel him. Durham faced a grilling prior to the vote. Rep. Bill Lamerth of Cottontown was visibly angry. "For God's sake, I want to know, 'Did you do it?' If you did that affects my vote today. If you didn't, we all deserve to know." Durham denied many of the allegations made against him during yesterday’s session. Franklin Republican booted from the Tennessee Househttp://wmot.org/post/franklin-republican-booted-tennessee-house
69787 as http://wmot.orgWed, 14 Sep 2016 14:10:01 +0000Franklin Republican booted from the Tennessee HouseAP/WMOTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Following Tuesday’s vote to oust Franklin Rep. Jeremy Durham from his seat in the Tennessee House, lawmakers hope to move on to the reason they convened this week. Gov. Bill Haslam called lawmakers into a special session to repeal a new state law on underage DUI. The law exceeds national standards, leading to a threat by Washington officials to withhold $60 million in federal road construction money. However, the first two days of the special session were taken up with the effort to oust Franklin Rep. Jeremy Durham, following allegations he sexually harassed at least 22 women. Will Tenn. lawmakers get Haslam's special session back on track?http://wmot.org/post/will-tenn-lawmakers-get-haslams-special-session-back-track
69786 as http://wmot.orgWed, 14 Sep 2016 14:04:36 +0000Will Tenn. lawmakers get Haslam's special session back on track?AP/WMOTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Nashville prosecutors want a tougher sentence for former Vandy football player Corey Batey for his part in a gang rape at a campus dorm in 2013. The Tennessean quotes prosecutors saying 11 emails were sent to presiding judge Montey Watkins prior to sentencing. They believe the emails influenced the judge's choice to give Batey the minimum 15 year sentence for the assault. Prosecutors are asking another judge to give them access to the emails and a chance to argue for a longer sentence. A hearing in the matters is scheduled for Thursday. Prosecutors want Vandy rapist's minimum sentence revisitedhttp://wmot.org/post/prosecutors-want-vandy-rapists-minimum-sentence-revisited
69785 as http://wmot.orgWed, 14 Sep 2016 14:00:54 +0000Prosecutors want Vandy rapist's minimum sentence revisitedAP/WMOTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Authorities have released more details about that officer involved shooting in Madison Tuesday morning. Metro Police say that 38-year-old officer Jason Sweeney confronted an armed man while responding to a shots fired call. Police say 42-year-old Kevin Lillard pointed a gun at the officer during a foot pursuit. The patrolman fired once, hitting Lillard in the mid-section. Officer Sweeney, who is white, wasn't injured. Lillard, who is black, was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He’s reported to be in stable condition. Police say Lillard has a lengthy criminal history. Update: Names released in Madison officer-involved shootinghttp://wmot.org/post/update-names-released-madison-officer-involved-shooting
69781 as http://wmot.orgWed, 14 Sep 2016 13:46:30 +0000Update: Names released in Madison officer-involved shootingAP/WMOTMARYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — An East Tennessee sporting goods store is selling commemorative t-shirts to raise money for the family of a Maryville Police Officer killed in the line of duty. Officer Kenny Moats was shot in the neck just above his bulletproof vest Thursday outside a Maryville home as he responded to a domestic disturbance call. In the days since the 32-year-old officer's death, WBIR-TV reports Pokey's and Sports has sold more than $40,000 worth of t-shirts for Moats' wife and three children. The store expects to sell even more. Moats' funeral was held Tuesday night. A police procession and burial are planned for Wednesday. Brian Stalans has been charged with criminal homicide and aggravated assault in Moat’s death. Stalans made his first court appearance Monday and was appointed a public defender. Tenn. shop raises $40K for fallen officer's family selling t-shirtshttp://wmot.org/post/tenn-shop-raises-40k-fallen-officers-family-selling-t-shirts
69093 as http://wmot.orgWed, 31 Aug 2016 12:19:13 +0000Tenn. shop raises $40K for fallen officer's family selling t-shirtsAP/WMOTMARYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A police officer who was fatally shot responding to a dispute between a father and son in eastern Tennessee had been wearing a bullet-proof vest, but he was struck in the neck. Authorities say Marysville Police Officer Kenny Moats was killed Thursday while responding to the second domestic disturbance call of the day at the home. The Blount County Sheriff's office says Moats and a deputy were able to get the father to safety and were taking cover behind their vehicles when the son opened fire from the garage, striking Moats from about 70 yards away. The sheriff's office says 44-year-old Brian Keith Stalans was arrested. Jail records do not indicate whether Stalans has an attorney. EDITOR'S NOTE: In a previous version of this story, WMOT News incorrectly identified the slain officer as 44-year-old Maryville Police Officer Brian Keith Stalans. We apologize for any distress or inconvenience this error may have caused. East Tennessee Police Officer shot and killed http://wmot.org/post/east-tennessee-police-officer-shot-and-killed
68828 as http://wmot.orgFri, 26 Aug 2016 10:34:21 +0000East Tennessee Police Officer shot and killed AP/WMOTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) -- Two scandal plagued Republican State Representatives have lost their seats to primary challengers. Longtime state Rep. Curry Todd of Collierville lost his West Tennessee seat to carnival operator Mark Lovell by 37 percentage points. Todd was twice filmed removing opponents' campaign signs during the campaign. A retired Memphis police officer, Todd was convicted in 2011 for drunken driving with a loaded handgun in his car. Franklin Rep. Jeremy Durham has also lost his House seat. Republican primary challenger Sam Whitson defeated the scandal dogged Durham by a two-thirds margin, or more than 3,000 votes. A scathing report delivered to House leadership in early July by Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slattery concluded Durham had sexually harassed at least 22 women during his time on Capital Hill. Whitson, a retired Army Col and political newcomer, will face Democrat Holly McCall this fall. Scandal prone incumbents lose seats in Tennessee Househttp://wmot.org/post/scandal-prone-incumbents-lose-seats-tennessee-house
67842 as http://wmot.orgFri, 05 Aug 2016 13:00:14 +0000Scandal prone incumbents lose seats in Tennessee House